Aviation Safety Inspectors
Overview
Aviation Safety Inspectors make sure airplanes and helicopters are truly safe to fly. They carefully check landing gear, engines, wings, and control systems for damage or wear, review detailed maintenance logs, and test instruments and equipment during ground checks or flight tests. They also investigate air incidents, evaluate how mechanics and pilots are trained, and decide whether an aircraft meets federal safety regulations and can receive a certificate of airworthiness.
Did you know?
Aviation Inspectors must obtain and maintain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification, which requires extensive training, testing, and ongoing education to stay current with evolving regulations.
At a Glance
Growth
Stable
Top Skill
Monitoring
Key Responsibilities
- Examine landing gear, tires, and exteriors of fuselage, wings, and engines for evidence of damage or corrosion and the need for repairs.
- Conduct flight test programs to test equipment, instruments, and systems under a variety of conditions, using both manual and automatic controls.
- Examine aircraft access plates and doors for security.
- Examine maintenance records and flight logs to determine if service and maintenance checks and overhauls were performed at prescribed intervals.
- Inspect work of aircraft mechanics performing maintenance, modification, or repair and overhaul of aircraft and aircraft mechanical systems to ensure adherence to standards and procedures.
- Prepare and maintain detailed repair, inspection, investigation, and certification records and reports.
- Recommend replacement, repair, or modification of aircraft equipment.
- Investigate air accidents and complaints to determine causes.
- Start aircraft and observe gauges, meters, and other instruments to detect evidence of malfunctions.
- Inspect new, repaired, or modified aircraft to identify damage or defects and to assess airworthiness and conformance to standards, using checklists, hand tools, and test instruments.
- Analyze training programs and conduct oral and written examinations to ensure the competency of persons operating, installing, and repairing aircraft equipment.
- Approve or deny issuance of certificates of airworthiness.
- Recommend changes in rules, policies, standards, and regulations, based on knowledge of operating conditions, aircraft improvements, and other factors.
Career Considerations
FAA Certification Requirements
Aviation Inspectors must obtain and maintain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification, which requires extensive training, testing, and ongoing education to stay current with evolving regulations.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
The role involves working in various environments including hangars, airports, and outdoor settings, often requiring climbing, crawling, and lifting while inspecting aircraft components.
Job Security and Growth Prospects
Employment opportunities are generally stable due to mandatory safety inspections, with growth tied to the expansion of commercial aviation and aging aircraft fleets requiring more frequent inspections.